broken end of peritoneal dialysis catheter

[eutsler]

Patient was on peritoneal dialysis, got up to walk, and the connector came out of the end of the tubing. Patient tied a knot in the tubing to prevent leakage, and came to the ED. Per the E/M the peritoneal dialysis catheter is intact, except for the end connector which as come off.

The surgeon's report for the procedure is "...the catheter was prepped in the usual aseptic fashion. Using sterile technique, a new plastic end connector cap was applied along with a piece of peritoneal dialysis catheter extension tubing and valve and a betadine cap."

This is all included in the E/M, correct? There is no mention of entering the peritoneal cavity, or of tunneling, there was no anesthesia given and the patient wasn't taken to the OR. This was just a bedside replacement of the end of the external portion of the PD cath. Am I missing something?

 

[charlna]

I would say that is included in the E/M. Really didn't have to repair anything, just reconnected it.

 

[eutsler]

I would say that is included in the E/M. Really didn't have to repair anything, just reconnected it.

Thanks, that's what I thought. This is a doctor who questions everything, so I wanted an outside opinion.